AFTER six years of planning, the outdoor canopy to provide all-weather shelter for events at Chepstow Castle is nearing completion.

Work on the canopy, which was funded by a number of grants from Europe as well as Monmouthshire Council, Chepstow Town Council and the Chepstow Festival committee began at the end of last year and is due to be completed in June this year.

Town Cllr Ned Heywood has been instrumental in bringing the project to fruition said: "I am very excited about the completion of the canopy and believe it will be a fantastic asset for the town of Chepstow.

"The canopy will be ready in time for Chepstow Festival which runs from June 22-July 22 and there will be a number of out door theatrical productions being hosted at the castle throughout the festival and during the summer.

"With the notoriously unreliable British Summertime, the canopy will now guarantee those wanting to buy tickets for events that they will be able to go ahead despite adverse weather conditions."

He added: "The canopy will be large enough to cover an audience of around 400 people so it will enable us to host more concerts and productions in the future."